Saint Lucia continues to receive support in response to the Christmas Eve Trough.

In a letter dated January 6, 2014, the Resident Coordinator of the Office of the United Nations in Bridgetown, Barbados informed Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister that the United Nations had dispatched over 51 thousand US dollars in aid to Saint Lucia. The supplies included water purification tablets, as well as medical equipment for the St. Jude Hospital and the Anse La Raye and Canaries Health Centres.

The European Commission has also activated its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and has decided to make €56,054 in aid available to Saint Lucia, through the Saint Lucia Red Cross. Assistance packages include food, water, hygiene packs and other relief items. The Pan American Health Organization is also assisting to restore the affected health services and reduce the risk of water and vector borne diseases.

Meanwhile, The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has conveyed its profound sadness at the trail of destruction caused by the Christmas Eve Trough. Secretary General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin La Rocque wrote,

“On behalf of the Community, I extend deepest sympathy to those persons who lost loved ones, were injured or displaced or suffered damage to property and lament the damage to infrastructure as a result of the severe weather. I wish to assure those persons who are affected that the Community stands ready to render all possible assistance as the Member States seek to rebuild from the destruction.”

The World Bank has also pledged support and indicated in a letter to Prime Minister Anthony, that they will be in touch with staff from the Ministry of Finance to “discuss the best way to assess needs and possible instruments of assistance, including within the ongoing Hurricane Tomas ERL and the preparation for the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project.”